Inmates complain over lack of TV sports channels
By Benjamin Wright
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Inmates at a jail in South Wales have lodged a formal complaint with the prison authorities - because they want more sports channels on TV.
Prisoners at the Category B HMP Parc in Bridgend currently have access to Sky Sports 1 as a reward for "sustained good behaviour".
But the perk is not enough, according to reports, with criminals unhappy that they do not get Sky Sports 2 and 3 - which meant they missed out on Brighton's game against Liverpool in the Carling Cup last Wednesday.
The inmates' complaint to officials has been branded ridiculous by Conservative MP David Davies - who stressed that many people outside of prison could not afford the channels.
Mr Davies, MP for Monmouth, said: "I am aghast we are paying for prisoners to watch Sky TV. What next? Will prisoners be given a box at the Millennium Stadium for rugby matches?
"People should not be put in prison to spend their days watching expensive satellite packages. They should be educated and learn skills for their rehabilitation when they come out.
"It beggars belief they are complaining about this - I haven't even got Sky Sports myself."
Sky charges premises such as prisons around £100 a month for the Sky Sports One package - with an upgrade to the full choice of channels costing a further £78 a month.
For a private house which already has Sky TV, adding the Sky Sports Pack with all channels costs £20 extra a month.